Patek Philippe

• 17''' damascened movement stamped twice with the Geneva seal, 18 jewels, guillaume balance, adjusted to heat, cold, isochronism and 5 positions, one minute tourbillon carriage by Hector Golay with polished steel cage and bridge, lever escapement • silvered dial with applied Breguet numerals and hands, subsidiary seconds • 18k yellow gold bassine case, concealed hinge • case, dial and movement signed • Extract from the Archives

Meis, R., Das Tourbillon, Verlag Laterna Magica, 1986, p.175.

Movement running and in very good condition, tourbillon cage rotating while cataloguing. Dial in overall good conditon but with signs of oxidation between 3-4 o'clock and 8-10 o'clock. Case in very good condition. An exceptionally rare piece.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping.

Important Notice regarding importation into the United States of Rolex watches
Sotheby's cannot arrange for the delivery of Rolex watches to the United States because U.S. laws restricts the import of Rolex watches. The buyer or a designated agent may collect the property in the country of sale."

This remarkable watch was submitted three times for rigorous tests at the Geneva Observatory and obtained the First Prize in Category C (small chronometers). Timing adjustments were made by F. Modoux, one of the most accomplished regulators Patek Philippe ever used. Testing at the Geneva Observatory initially lasted 40 days and required the watch to be tested in different positions and at varying temperatures to check its ability to maintain outstanding accuracy. Accuracy in timekeeping has been critical to advances in Science and, in 1873, the Observatory in Geneva held its first annual Chronometer competition. Patek Philippe won the much coveted 1st prize for the first time in 1884.

To the best of our knowledge, the few chronometers that were produced around this serial number were completed by Hector Golay. As a master watchmaker for chronometers, Hector Golay is known to have prepared and finished tourbillon cages for Patek Philippe during this period.

Originally an attempt to improve accuracy, the tourbillon is considered one of the most challenging of all horological complications. Invented in 1795 by Abraham-Louis Breguet, a tourbillon counters the effects of gravity by mounting the escapement and balance wheel in a rotating cage in order to negate the effect of gravity when the timepiece, and thus the escapement, is moved. At the time of the tourbillon's invention, gravity and movement were known to have an adverse effect on the accuracy of timepieces, horologists knew that pocket watches suffered from the effects of gravity since they were usually carried in the same pocketed position, continuously moved during the day and then held in a different position while being read, all of which affected their accuracy. In a tourbillon, the entire escapement assembly rotates, including the balance wheel, the escape wheel, the hairspring, and the pallet fork, in order to average out the effect of gravity in the different positions and thereby improve the watch's timekeeping.